Apparatus for measuring flexible material



July 27, 1937; H. w. BEALL APPARATUS FOR MEASURING FLEXiBLE MATERIAL Filed Sept. 24, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 keli bel t 61/. BeaZZ July 27,1937. H, w, BEALL 2,088,256

APPARATUS FOR MEASURING FLEXIBLE MATERIAL Filed Sept. 24, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inn-f lly 3 [Verberi W Bea/Z1:

Patented July 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR MEASURING FLEXIBLE MATERIAL Application September 24, 1936, Serial No. 102,436

3 Claims.

My invention relates to winding and measuring apparatus.

An important object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character, 5y which is adjustable, to wind and measure selected units of flexible windable material, such as thread, yarn, ribbon or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character 10 which may be continuously operated, will wind and measure a selected unit of flexible windable material and will then out such material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character,

15 which will operate rapidly and will distribute the material uniformly during the winding operation. A further object of the invention is to provide means to clamp the core to the rotatable take-up element and to cause the traversing arm to be thrown into action, at about the same time.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part 2 of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure l is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention, 01-5, Figure 2 is a plan View of the same,

Figure 2a is a vertical section through gearing including a worm gear, parts in elevation,

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rotatable take-up mandrel and associated elements,

Figure 5 is a central vertical longitudinal section. through the mandrel,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section taken on line 6--5 of Figure 2, 0,. Figure 7 is a longitudinal section taken on line 1-1 of Figure 2,

Figure 8 is a transverse section taken on line 8--B of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a detail section taken on line 9-9 7 45x01 Figure 8.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates a table or supporting structure upon which is rigidly 50'. mounted the frame II of the machine, including uprights I2, I3 and I4.

Rigidly mounted upon the uprights l3 are stationary bearings l 5, within which is journalled a transverse horizontal rotatable preferably tubular 55*. shaft 16, included in the rotary take-up device.

formed by longitudinal slots l9.

This shaft projects beyond one side of the frame I I in the form of an expansible mandrel H. The mandrel is preferably integral with the tubular shaft and is itself tubuiar, and is provided with radially expansible resilient longitudinal ribs l8,

The ribs [8 are resilient, as stated, and may be expanded radially, but when released will return to the inner position whereby the mandrel will have the normal exterior diameter. The tubular mandrel has an annular outer head or end portion 20, which preferably tapers toward its free end so that the usual winding core may be slipped upon the mandrel. The tubular mandrel has a tapered bore 2!, decreasing in diameter inwardly, and this tapered bore extends from the point 22 to about the point 23. The tubular mandrel is counter-bcred at or near its free end to provide an enlarged cylindrical bore 2 extending from the point 22 to the free end of the head or end portion 25!. Mounted to slide within the tubular mandrel is a tapered expanding element 25, decreasing in diameter inwardly, and adapted to have expanding action with the ribs I3, between the points 22 and 23. This tapered expanding r element has a shank 26, which is cylindrical, and

is slidably mounted within the tubular shaft IE,

to slide longitudinally with relation to the shaft and mandrel and to rotate therewith.

Means are provided to longitudinally shift the tapered expanding element 25, to expand the mandrel, comprising a bell-crank lever 2?, arranged to swing horizontally, and having one end pivoted at 28, to a horizontal bracket 29, fixed to the upright l3, by means of a bolt or the like. This bell-crank lever is provided in its transverse arm with a collar 3i, having elongated slots 32, to receive trunnions or pins 33, rigidly secured to the outer element or casing 34, of a shifting device. This outer casing is slidably mounted upon the tubular shaft It to move longitudinally of the tubular shaft, which also rotates therein. The shifting device further comprises an inner element or sleeve 35, which is slidably mounted upon the tubular shaft IE to move longitudinally thereof, but to turn therewith. The outer element or housing 34 has a ball bearing raceway 36, and the sleeve 35 has a coacting ball bearing raceway 3i and bearing balls 38 are arranged between these raceways, and serve to connect the elements 34 and 35 so that they move longitudinally together but permit of free relatively rotary movement. The sleeve 35 carries a transverse pin 39, operating within elongated slots 40 formed in the tubular shaft l8 and this pin is rigidly secured to the shank 2B of the expanding element 25. It is thus seen that when the free end of the bell-crank lever 2'! is swung in one direction it will turn upon the pivot 28, and will retract the tapered expanding element 25 which will in turn expand the ribs l8 of the expansible mandrel, thereby clamping the winding core upon the mandrel, to rotate therewith.

The tubular shaft i8 rigidly secured thereto,

has a grooved pulley 4i driven by a belt 42, extending downwardly to engage a grooved pulley 43, in turn driven by a motor 44, as shown.

A traversing device is provided to uniformly distribute the thread, yarn, or the like throughout substantially the entire length of the core. This traversing device comprises a horizontally swinging traversing arm 45, which is vertically resilient, and is provided at its free end with a guide 46. The pull of the thread or yarn moves the traversing arm 45 downwardly so that the guide 48 may contact with the wound thread or yarn and the arm gradually rises as the diameter of the wound thread or yarn increases. The traversing arm is provided at its opposite end with a tubular head or sleeve ll, preferably formed integral therewith, and this head is loosely mounted upon a vertical rock shaft 38. This rock shaft is journalled in stationary bearings 49. Means are provided to lock and unlock the head or sleeve M with and from the rock shaft, comprising a transverse pin 50, Figure '7, rigidly secured to the vertical rock shaft 48 and extending radially beyond the same and adapted to enter grooves 5i, formed V-shaped in crosssection, formed in the lower face of the head 41, when the head moves downwardly upon the rock shaft. The head t? is forced downwardly by a compressible coil spring 52, as shown. The head 57 is moved upwardly to withdraw the pin 50 from the grooves 5i, and thereby unlock the head 41 from the rock shaft, by a sliding wedge 53, having an elongated slot 54, to receive the rock shaft, and operating above a ring 55, clamped to the rock shaft. The sliding wedge is connected with a strap in turn pivoted to the bell-crank lever, at ill. A retractile coil spring 53 extends longitudinally of the traversing arm 47 and is arranged generally parallel therewith and has one end attached to the traversing arm, as shown at 59, while its opposite end is attached to a stationary bracket 60, suitably secured to the frame ii. The function of the spring 58 is to return the traversing arm to the intermediate position, or to retain the same in such position, when unlocked from the vertical rock shaft. It is thus seen that when the bell-crank lever 2'! is swung to the left, Figure 2, the mandrel will be expanded, and the traversing arm 65 will be locked to the rock shaft for traversing movement, and vice versa.

Means are provided to turn the vertical rock shaft 48, comprising a radial arm or crank 65, rigidly secured thereto, and having a collar 62, longitudinally adjustably mounted thereon so that it may be clamped to the arm 5! in an adjusted position. A reach rod or link 63 is pivotally connected with the collar at M, and this link 63 is pivoted at 85, with a cam-lever 6B, in turn pivotallysupported at 6?. This cam-lever is moved inwardly by a retractile coil spring 68 and carries a roller 59, to engage a heart-shaped cam is. This heart shaped cam is rigidly mounted upon the lower end of a hub 'H of a horizontal worm gear 12, and this hub is rotatable upon a stationary vertical shaft 73, rigidly attached to a stationary plate 14, secured to the upright 23, Figure l. The horizontal worm gear 12 is driven by a worm 15, carried by a spindle N5, which extends into one end of the tubular shaft i6 and is rigidly held therein. It is thus seen that the rotation of shaft I6 is reduced and transmitted to the cam Til, which through the medium of the cam lever 66 and associated elements, causes the traversing arm to move in opposite directions longitudinally of the expansible mandrel, for substantially the entire length of the core thereon, and that the stroke of the traversing arm may be regulated by adjusting the sleeve 62.

Measuring means is provided for coaction with the winding means. This measuring means comprises a rotatable disk H, which is rigidly mounted upon a longitudinal shaft '58, journalled in a bearing iii and rigidly connected with a pinion 80. The pinion 88 is driven by a train of speed reducing pinions 8!, which in turn are driven by a worm wheel 82, driven by a worm 83, formed upon a transverse shaft 84. This transverse shaft is journalled in stationary bearings 85 and the shaft is held against longitudinal movement by collars 86 rigidly secured thereto. The transverse shaft 8 carries a grooved traction wheel 8'! to engage with the thread or yarn. The periphery of the traction wheel 81 is preferably covered by a strip of friction material, such as rubber, tape, or the like. The disk H is concentrically mounted within a circular opening 88, formed in a stationary plate 89. The diameter of the opening 88 is greater than the diameter of the disk "IT, thereby affording an annular groove 39, between these parts. Rotatably mounted upon the shaft i8 is a radial hand or pointer 80, adapted to travel in proximity to a scale 9!, and projecting radially across the annular groove 89. This pointer carries a spring pressed pawl 92, normally engaging ratchet teeth 93, formed upon the periphery of the disk Tl. The ratchet teeth 93 are so faced that the disk H, Figure 3, when turning anti-clockwise, will engage the pawl 92 and turn the pointer 90 anti-clockwise, but the pointer 99 may be manually advanced in an anti-clockwise direction with relation to the disk 11, without releasing the pawl 92, and may be turned in either direction with respect to the disk by releasing the pawl.

Cutting means for the yarn, thread or the like, is provided, comprising a scissors-like cutter, including a stationary blade M, bolted to a stationary bracket 95, attached to the frame H. The stationary blade carries a pivot element or pin 96, upon which is mounted the movable blade 97 of the scissors, having a tail 98. The movable blade is automatically swung to the closed or cutting position, when the tail 98 is released, by means of a spring 99. The tail 98 is provided with a notch 90, for receiving the free end of a locking dog 10!. This locking dog is rigidly mounted upon a short rock shaft I02, journalled in a suitable bearing formed in the shank I03 of the stationary blade. The rock shaft is provided at its inner end with a trip finger I04, moved downwardly by a retractile coil spring IE5. The spring 595 normally holds the trip finger H34 in the lowered position so that its inner end extends inwardly partly across the annular groove 89 and in the path of travel of a trip pin 90, rigidly secured to the pointer 90. As the pointer approaches or reaches the zero position upon the scale, the trip pin 90' carried thereby,

engages the inner end of the trip finger I04, and

forces such inner end outwardly to a position adjacent to the outer wall of the annulargroove B9 and out of the path of travel of the pin 90'. When the trip finger I04 is tripped, as explained, the dog MI is moved out of the notch, the tail 98 released, and the blade 91 shifted to the inner cutting position, and the tail now engages behind the dog I III, whereby theinner end of the trip finger 104 is retained in the outer position, out of the path of travel of the trip pin 90.

Arranged near and in advance of the cutter, is a thread or yarn guide I01, mounted upon the stationary blade shank I03. l I Means are provided to rotatably supportthe paying out spool or roll of thread or yarn, car ried by the usual tubular core I00. This means comprises a U-shaped bracket we, rigidly mounted upon the top of the support I0 and including upstanding arms IIO. A rotatable cone shaped bearing II I is adapted for insertion in one end of the core I08 and carries a shank H2, held within a head I it. A coacting cone shaped bearing is adapted for insertion within the opposite end of the core I08 and is carried by a shank II5, slidably mounted within a housing or bearing H6. The cone-shaped bearing H0 is urged inwardly by a spring Ill. The core I08 will turn upon the cone shaped bearings III and H4, but the invention is not restricted to this feature, as the cone shaped bearings may also rotate, if desired.

As more clearly shown in Figure 2, the traction wheel 81 is preferably arranged in alignment with the central transverse axis of the core upon the expansible mandrel and of the central transverse axis of the core I08, supported by the cone-shaped bearing elements I II and H4.

The operation of the. machine is as follows:

The yarn or thread from the ball upon the core I08 is first passed through the guide I01, through the cutter, and then over the traction wheel 81, or it may be wrapped about the traction wheel, one or more times, if desired, and then through the guide 46, and then attached to the take-up core, by wrapping the same around the core for a number of times. This core is then inserted upon the then collapsed mandrel H. The mandrel, when collapsed, rotates freely Within the core, and at this time the traversing arm 45 will be stationary at the intermediate position. To start the winding action, bell-crank lever 21 is swung in the proper direction, whereby the expanding element 25 is retracted, and the mandrel expanded so that the core is clamped upon the mandrel. The bell-crank lever is held in the shifted position by the frictional engagement between the expanding element 25 and the longitudinal ribs of the mandrel. When the bellcrank lever was swung in the direction of its arrow, as stated, strap 56 was moved forwardly, thus permitting of the lowering action of the head which is immediately or quickly locked to the rock shaft 48, when pin 50 enters grooves 5|. The grooves 5|, being tapered, have a wedging action with the ends of the pin 50, thus taking up wear, and at all times insuring that the head 41 will be positively locked to the rock shaft, during the traversing movement of the arm 45, and eliminating any improper relative movements between these parts. When the. arm 45 is thus locked to the vertical rock shaft 48, the traversing arm 45 is swung in opposite directions so that its guide 46 will travel longitudinally of the expansible mandrel in opposite directions throughout substantially the entire length of the core carried by the mandrel. The rock shaft 38 is turned by means of the cam 50, cam iever iii;

and associated elements and the stroke of the rection, through the medium of the speed reducing gearing. The pointer 00 has been previously set or adjusted before starting the operation and is brought into a proper position with respect toa selected numeral of the scale 0!. The scale is shown as graduated in numerals, running consecutively from zero to nine, although any other form of graduation may be employed, as desired. The scale isgraduated in units of length, and the numerals may indicate one. thousand units of length, namely, 1 designating one thousand yards, 2 designating two thousand yards, etc. Assuming that about eight thousand five hundred yards .are to be wound upon the take-up core, the pointer will then be adjusted to the intermediate position, as substantially shown in Figure 3. As soon as the winding operation starts, the pointer 90 will slowly turn counter-clockwise with the disk 11, and when this pointer approaches or reaches the zero position, the trip pin 90' will engage the inner end of the trip finger I04, and shift such inner end of the trip finger radially outwardly. This action will cause the dog IOI to free the tail 98, and the spring pressed blade 91 will be thrown to the closed or cutting position and will out the thread or yarn, thus insuring that the proper length of thread is wound upon the core. The tail 08 now engages behind dog If", and the free end of the trip finger I04 is held out of the path of travel of the finger I00. The motor continues to operate, but no additional thread can of course be wound upon the take-up core. During the rotation of the take-up core, the traversing arm 55 moves in opposite directions throughout substantially the entire length of the core, thus uniformly distributing the thread or yarn thereon, as is obvious. By collapsing the mandrel, it will freely rotate Within the core and the wound ball of thread or yarn may now be removed from the collapsed mandrel. Ihe operation is then repeated.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is.

1. In a machine for winding and measuring flexible material such as thread, yarn or the like, a rotatable winding take-up device, an element having a scale, a rotatable pointer to travel in proximity to the scale and carrying a trip element, a traction wheel driven by the travelling flexible material and driving the pointer, a cutting deviceincluding a spring pressed movable cutter blade, a dog engaging a part of the cutter blade to normally hold it in the open position,

and a trip finger projecting into the path of travel of the trip element and connected with the dog to move the dog, said cutter blade when released engaging behind the dog to thereby hold the trip finger out of the path of travel of the trip element.

2. In a machine for winding and measuring flexible material such as thread, yarn or the like, a rotatable winding take-up device, an element having a scale, a rotatable supporting element, a pointer carried by the rotatable supporting element to travel in proximity to the scale and carrying a trip element, a traction wheel driven by the travelling flexible material and driving the supporting element, a cutting device including a spring pressed movable blade having a tail, a rock shaft arranged near the tail,

a dog to engage the tail to normally hold the movable blade in the open position, and mounted upon the rock shaft, and a trip finger secured to the rock shaft and projecting into the path of travel of the trip element, the tail when released engaging behind the dog and thereby holding the trip finger out of the path of travel of the trip element.

3. In a machine for winding and measuring flexible material such as thread, yarn or the like, a stationary element having a scale, a rotatable disk arranged near the scale and provided upon its periphery with teeth, a pointer for coaction with the scale and pivotally mounted upon the disk, a spring pressed pawl carried by the pointer to engage the teeth, a trip element carried by the pointer, means driven by the travelling flexible material to rotate the disk, a cutting device including a movable spring pressed blade having a tail, a rock shaft, a trip finger carried by the rock shaft and projecting into the path of travel of the trip element, and a dog carried by the rock shaft to engage the tail, the tail engaging behind the dog and holding the trip finger out of the path of travel of the trip element when the movable blade is released so that the pointer may be adjusted in either direction with respect to the disk.

HERBERT W. BEALL. 

